towards private sector investment. along that line, the next key element was how we can really begin to look at the human capital, the human capacity that's needed to be able to move in these directions. since 2002 the number of universities and number of schools has changed tremendously. back in 2001 during the taliban period we only had about 700 students going to school. but today that number has increased to over seven million, both boys and girls. and a number of universities has removed from two to three to over 29 public universities and about 130 private universities. >> we're going to leave this discussion. you can find it online at c-span.org. the house returning in a moment. their first session since the midterm elections last week. expecting members' floor speeches and later today they'll work on 15 suspension bills.

including funding for emergency hiv-aids programs, and the awarding of the congressional gold medal. also on the agenda today, new house members who were elected to vacant seats and special elections last week will be sworn in. you are watching live coverage from the floor of the house. here on c-span. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the prayer will be offered by conroy.lain, father the chair lays before the house a communication. the clerk: the speaker's rooms, washington d.c., november 13, bost i hereby appoint mike to act as speaker pro tempore, signed paul d. ryan, speaker, house of representatives. the speaker pro tempore: the prayer will be offered by chaplain father conroy.

chaplain conroy: let us pray, we thank you for giving us another day. bless the members of this assembly as they return to the work facing them, work that needs to be done. give them the wisdom they need and the charity they must possess to work together. help them to make wise decisions in a good manner. we ask your blessing on those newly elected or re-elected to this assembly. may they all fully understand the trust that has been given them to represent not only those whose votes they received, but those who did not vote for them as well. all are citizens to be represented by new members in this people's house. may your blessing be with them and with us all this day and every day to come. and may all we do be for your debater honor and glory, amen. the speaker pro tempore: the chair has examined the journal

of the last day's proceedings and announces to the house his approval thereof. pursuant to clause 1 of rule 1, thejournal stands approved. pledge of allegiance will be led by the gentleman from texas, mr. poe. mr. poe: i pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible with berty and justice for all. the speaker pro tempore: the chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from south carolina seek recognition? mr. wilson: address the house for one minute and revise and stepped my remarks. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. wilson: with sincere gratitude and appreciation i have the opportunity to recognize former deputy chief of staff. i'll appreciate taylor for his years of service. taylor is a graduate of wake forest university and recent

graduate of the u.s. army war college where he received a master's degree in strategic policy studies. he worked on a wide array of issues like national security and foren affairs. it has been an honor to work with a dedicated public servant who began his service with senator game. he will continue his service to representative gallagher. is parents are congratla tower on his service. in conclusion, god bless our troops we will never forget september 11. our prayers to the victims of the wildfires in california. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas seek recognition? mr. poe: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend those remarks.

the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. mr. poe: mr. speaker, world war i ended 100 years ago. during the brutal bloody war, thousands were killed in an area of france and belgium called flanders, flanders field. the poppies blow, between the crosses now on row. that mark our place and in the sky the larks still bringing fly. scarce heard from the guns below. we are the dead. short days ago we lived. felt dawn, saw sunset glow. loved and were loved. and now we lie in flanders field. take up our coral with the foe, to you from failing hands we throw the torch for yours to hold it high. if you break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in flanders field.

mr. speaker, 116,000 americans were killed in world war i and now after 100 years, there will be a memorial erected in d.c. for all the veterans of the great war. it's about time for the worst casualty of war is to be forgotten. and that's just the way it is. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from arkansas seek recognition? >> permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman is recognized. >> i rise today to recognize the fulbright program sponsored by then senator jay william fulbright. this exceptionally american contribution to the world has educated over 360,000 students from 165 countries, including 52 nobel laureates and 31 heads of state.

mr. hill: every year scholarships are given to 2,000 500 americans from all backgrounds and stages of life the chance to spend time abroad and gain perspective. two years ago i had the opportunity to plant a tree on the capital grounds in honor of the 70th anniversary of the program and its arkansas roots. this has funded the academic pursuits of countless americans and international scholars while building economic prosperity and promoting america's respect for freedom, the rule of law and our democratic values. the program has my support and all of our citizens should encourage this mission of friendship. thank you, mr. speaker. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from north carolina seek recognition? ms. foxx: ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without

objection. the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. ms. foxx: mr. speaker, i rise in support of national adoption day this coming saturday. national adoption day began in 2000 when seven cities opened courtrooms on the saturday before thanksgiving to alleviate the backlog of pending adoptions. since then more than 65,000 children have had their adoption finalized during the national adoption day celebration. the number of north carolina children in foster care has been increasing with last year totalling nearly 11,000. there are more than 25,000 children in foster care nationwide with over 110,000 awaiting adoption by permanent families. national adoption day aims to raise awareness of these children and educate the estimated 47 million americans who have considered adopting a child in foster care. may this year's effort be another success by connecting

children awaiting adoption with parents who can provide the love and stable environment they need to realize their potential. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. for what purpose does the gentleman from nebraska seek recognition? >> request unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. >> i rise today to recognize the service of kevin mooney to the communities of western nebraska. this week after 34 years as a journalist, kevin will retire from his position as news director. throughout his career, kevin has received six mark twain awards from the nebraska associated press and trailblazer award from. the largest story of an explosion that he reported and stayed on the air providing updates. kevin is thankful for his wife tracy who has supported him a

great deal throughout the 35 years of marriage given he is on call 24 ours a day. kevin has dedicated himself to community events such as the thanks giving in the valley event and collaboration of local nonprofits and the soup kitchen and the kiwan is club and serve 400 meals on thanks giving day. thank you, kevin mooney. thank you, mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 12-a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until approximately